The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-07
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YESTERDAYS OUTRAGE

The opening and dedication of the new
State-house yesterday witnessed an act of
usurpation on the part of the Democrats which
ought to consign the chief actors in it to the
State prison. It is not an suspicious omen
that the beautiful structure erected by the
people for the use of the State government
should have been desecrated OH the first day
of its occupancy by lawless and revolution
airy proceeding. utterly at variance with con-
stitutional government. Some persons may
have hoped that the old order of things had
new Senate chamber would have civilizing
influence on the Democracy inclining them
to legal and constitutional methods recog-
milton of law and order and submission to the
will of the people If there were any such;
they were doomed to disappointment. The
Ethiopian has not changed his skin nor the
leopard his spots. The Indiana Democracy
are the same as ever-the same unscrupulous,
corrupt, law-defying revolutionary party.
himself the willing tool of corrupt gang in
the performance Of an act at once rascally and
revolutionary, and those who aided and abetted
him in the lawless proceeding demonstrated
their readiness to share his disgrace. Indi-
vidually and collectively, one and all, they
stand before the people and the State gang
of political burglars and constitutional safe
blowers, ravishers of the law and polluters of
public morals. Men have been sent to prison
| few paltry dollars; these political highwaymen
have violated the suffrages of an entire State
| and taken another step in the plot to steal the
| second highest Office under its Constitution
| In this scoundrelism Mr.. Alonzo Green
Smith, Democratic Senator from the counties
of Jackson and Jennings, showed himself a
willing leader It cannot be said in the words
of Byron: HE was the mildest- mannered man
that ever scuttled ship or cut throat, for
he had the action and manners of man who
was set to do piece of political burglary
while his pals kept watch. and who did not
propose to he baked in the job Mr.. Smith
had no more right to call the Senate to order
or preside in its organization than had any
other member of the body-in other words,
no right at all. He was neither Lieutenant
governor nor President of the Senate and in
assuming to be either he became simply q
usurper. Mr.. State Auditor Rice PLAYED into
Smiths hands by surren dering te
him the duty which the law,
in express terms, devolves upon the State
Auditor-the duty, III the absence of the
Lieutenant governor. of presiding at the or
ganization of the Senate. And the other
members of the gang stood guard and voted
on every point to sustain their leader. 1t was
in vain that Republican Senators attempted
to protest, raise points of order, questions Of
privilege, etc. The usurrer in the chair
either refused to recognize them or pounded
them down with his gavel, and the outrag.
proceeded step by step to its consnmmation
The result is temporary triumph for the
Democratic thugs and thieves. If the Re
publcans know their rights, and knowing
dare maintain, Colonel Robertson, Lieutenant
governor elect by the people, will at tn,
proper time take, hold and occupy the chair
Such a proceeding as that of yesterday
though seemingly a victory for the Democ
outrage and crime to the long list piled ~
against them, and which is already create
than they will find themselves able to carry
REVOLUTION AND REVOLUTIONISTS.
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